Thigh bone. Normal human cancellous (spongy) bone in a sectioned femur (thigh bone). Bone tissue can be either compact or cancellous; both forms are usually present in any particular bone of the body. Cancellous bone, usually found in the interior of bone (as here), is characterised by tissue arranged as an open honeycomb. This consists of a network of trabeculae (bars) and spicules (needles) separated by large spaces. The spaces within cancellous bone contain bone marrow, a blood-forming substance. Spongy bone also has a supportive and strengthening role. Dense compact bone forms the sides of the femur here.